Soaking You Up: Mary Colette

I want to soak up your beautiful face, your wild hair and your fiesty spunk.

I want to soak up your dancing and twirling and dress wearing even when it's chilly. I want to soak up your hand holding and your so many words. I want to soak up you and Annie K giggling together when you can finally steal her for all you. I want to soak up watching you ride your bike and sing so happily when you think no one is around and your wonderful drama you add to playing poor fill in the blank. I want to soak up your desire to be a princess so that you can twirl all day. I want to try better to soak you up at the age you are at. We so often make you older and I want to try harder to remember your age and allow you to be it.  

Friday Photo Favorites

Growing Up

Yesterday he decided he was finished with his pacifier, as known as a bah-ya. After throwing in out the car window he declared himself a big boy with maybe a hint of regret, but the carload cheered his self declaration and the day continued which was purposely too busy for a nap in hopes for an easier bedtime.

At bedtime he briefly inquired and whimpered about his disregard volume control unit, then asked to be rocked and sung to.  His request, Hail Mary. Yes, growing up is harder on him than me at the moment. How long it has been since I got to rock him to sleep!

Soaking You Up: Avery

I want to soak up every bit of you, Avery Robert! Never before have I witness skin wrapped around such an interesting character. You are all boy, bounce and full enthusiasm. You are so, so sweet and seek me out in my hardest part of day to help. You spill and make messes a lot, never intentional and always so regretful, that there is no point in being upset. There is just something so wonderful about you and the personality God infused into you. You absolutely adore Annie, especially since she is your other 'A' in the family. And she is beginning to fulling trust and adore you too. I want to soak up every quiet moment I have with you, they are rare and yet speak volumes of the depth of your thinking and person. You understand so much more than we give you credit for and think more deeply than the average seven year old. I love you, Avery. 

Something I must say...

Okay I know that anyone who reads this is most likely family but every now and then maybe just maybe someone else pokes around and sees a plethora of pictures and children and thinks something, anything. Well I guess I just want to be clear about what is happening here because for the longest time I didn't know why I blogged.

I blog so I don't forget so I have record of the good times, mainly. I try not to ever blog something that might embarrass anyone later in life.  Well, at least no potty training stuff. Some trying or difficult times will be recorded too as they shape us more than the Christmas gifts and delicious cookie memories. 

I blog because I don't call, or write or email...I am sorry communication is not easy with a growing family and really I just don't make a big enough effort.  Here is your chance to watch us grow and know what we are up too. Okay maybe a few months later (or years in some cases)...my sisters once upon a time all blogged and though I didn't see my nieces and nephews as much as I would like I felt closer to them through pictures and post.

I still keep up with one of my friends from college because of her blog and I feel I know her girls even though we've never met. I think about her so much when I question why I do this...I do enjoy it just wanted to make it clear that I blog for purely selfish reasons. To keep a record of our family life. No advice, recipes, tips or pointers and really very few words.  Pictures, I like pictures. So it's more like an online family photo album. 

Enjoy and thanks for letting me clear that up...with myself.

Emergency

Overheard back in November...

"911, I have three babies: one is sick, one has a fever and one is just...really wild!"

In the morning as she said goodbye to her Daddy, "Goodbye, I love you. Try not to get arrested."

Oh sweet girl you are so funny in a dramatic way.

Soaking You Up: Paul Thomas

I want to soak up your boyhood. Your need to know everything that is going on or will take place, exhausting and yet reminds me that you too are learning how to handle life. I want to soak up your innocence and pure love when it comes to family. There is no past hurts or pain to get over, just more people to enjoy and have fun with. I want to soak up how you are begin to stick up for yourself and beliefs when it come to new friends. I want to soak up you a bit longer, because honestly I feel mostly unprepared and humbled to be your mother. You are growing much too fast for me to keep ahead of and you are growing much too deeply in your understanding of God and life for me to take any credit. I wouldn't mind do it all again with you, my love. 

Friday Photo Favorites

Ready for Spring!

Soaking You Up: Anastasia

I want to soak up your penetrating eyes, you're taking in of all things and your determination to be a part of what is going on.

I soak up your new discoveries, your need to love every single stuff animal especially if you get hurt. Your little mothering of the babies down stairs. 

I want to soak up the last bits of babyhood that you will give me. I want to soak up our nursing sessions knowing they won't last forever and soon you will be too big. I want to soak up more time and less frustration, you are little and need so much and we are all in the middle of upheaval and I am too short tempered with your needs. I want to sit longer and be with you more. I want to soak up your beautiful big brown eyes, taking in the world. 

Friday Photo Favorites

Front Porch

Last time on our front porch.

This was a few days before...lots of scraping and prepping before we said good-bye.

Plus some super cute Mardi Gras mask on even cuter kids.